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Arriving early? Staying after the conference is over? Looking for something to do with your free time? Well, you’re in luck because there are lots of things to see and do in downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding area! Whether you desire a shopping excursion, an outdoor adventure or want to immerse yourself in the arts, you’ll have no trouble finding something to keep you busy.

Our conference headquarters
The recently renovated Hyatt is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall. The hotel is within walking distance of shopping, dining and popular attractions like Target Field, Walker Art Center and Loring Park. It offers many guest amenities including a full service business center, an indoor heated pool and access to the StayFit Athletic Club. It also has jogging paths, a bicycle trail and is a “Nice Ride” bicycle station.

The active life
With 10,000 lakes, the most bike-friendly city in the nation and a park located every six blocks, it’s no wonder Minneapolis has been at or near the top of American Fitness Index’s “Fittest City in America” list year after year.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to stay active while in town. Check out Above The Falls Sports and take one of their kayak tours of the Mississippi River. Not a fan of water sports? Then explore the city on land by taking advantage of Nice Ride – Minneapolis’ bike sharing program. Nice Ride offers a convenient, healthy way to travel around the city to explore the many attractions. The Hyatt even has a bicycle station on-site!

Minneapolis is home to several world-class museums. Home to over 80,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts inspires wonder, spurs creativity and nourishes the imagination. Internationally recognized as a leading arts venue, Walker Art Center presents contemporary visual arts and design exhibitions; dance, theater and music performances; and film screenings.

Family fun
If you’re traveling with your family, you’ll want to check out one of the zoos in the area. The Minnesota Zoo has more than 2,000 animals representing over 400 species, so you’re sure to have a wild time! One of the last free zoos in the United States, the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is home to a wide array of animals and plants and is free to visit every day of the year.

If you’re craving a bit of history, Mill City Museum offers plenty of hands-on activities that will teach and amaze children. And don’t forget, in addition to world-class shopping, the Mall of America includes Nickelodeon Universe, a theme park located inside the massive mall.

The Minnesota State Fair
There’s only one place you can get foods like beer gelato, bacon-wrapped turkey legs, deep-fried lobster, chocolate dessert salami and shrimp dogs – the Minnesota State Fair. Locals like to call it “The Great Minnesota Get-Together.” The largest state fair in the U.S. attracts nearly 1.8 million guests annually and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair offers plenty of activities, rides, and deep-fried food to make everyone happy. The fair runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 1 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds are located mid-way between the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, just north of Interstate 94 and south of Highway 36 on Snelling Avenue. During the Minnesota State Fair, the fairgrounds are open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight (10 p.m. on Labor Day); guests can enter the outside gates from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Labor Day).

Like to shop?
Home to the trendiest discount retailer and largest shopping complex in the country, it’s no surprise that people come from all over the world to shop in Minneapolis. Aside from Target and the Mall of America, you can enjoy shopping at the many chic boutiques, malls and diverse retail districts located around the city. Spend a few hours or an entire day hunting for bargains at places like Albertville Premium Outlets, Candyland, FinnStyle and Nicolett Mall. With no sales tax on apparel and shoes, you may even need to bring an extra suitcase for all of your purchases!

Food and wine
With four distinct seasons and dozens of international culinary traditions, Minneapolis restaurants offer farm-to-table experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Take the short drive to area orchards and farms, or one of the local Minneapolis Farmer’s Markets, for just-picked produce and local specialties. Sit down to a meal by an internationally-known chef at a Minneapolis restaurant. Farm fresh ingredients inspire many local chefs. Last year alone, four local chefs were nominated for the James Beard Award - the Oscar of culinary - including Tim McKee of La Belle Vie and Solera, and Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma and Brasa Rotisserie. Experience the flavors of Sweden, Germany and Poland -- or Somalia, Vietnam and Mexico. From fine Minneapolis restaurants to local fairs, you’ll find a culture of locally-grown, globally-inspired foods that nourish body and soul.

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Sandy Lachman, Senior Physician Recruiter
HealthPartners Medical Group, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Sandy just celebrated her 22nd year of recruiting physicians for the HealthPartners organization – and amazingly, still remains fairly sane! (Yep, she’s a “seasoned” recruiter.) Sandy is originally from Wisconsin (Go Pack!), but fell in love with the Twin Cities on a post-college graduation trip in 1979 and never looked back. In addition to still loving what she does for a living, she’s an avid Twins fan, theatre patron, dog lover, Coach bag addict and Mall of America savant.

Sandy and her colleagues at HealthPartners came up with a comprehensive list of things to do in Minneapolis. How many can you check off the list during your visit?

Note: Some of the events listed are not happening during the dates of the annual conference, so you’ll have to plan a return visit to experience them.

St. Paul Cathedral and the surrounding neighborhoods/area

A drive down Summit Avenue in St. Paul – take a tour through the James J. Hill House

Union Depot in St. Paul

Landmark Center and Rice Park in St. Paul (especially during the winter holiday season)

Taste of Minnesota

The Minnesota State Fair

The Minneapolis and St. Paul Farmers Markets

Lake Harriet Bandshell for an evening concert or an outdoor movie

St. Anthony Main (Minneapolis) – take a stroll down the cobblestone road and enjoy the river

Guthrie Theater and many other theatres in the Hennepin Theatre District in Minneapolis; Ordway

Theatre in St. Paul

Twins games at Target Field,

Timberwolves games at Target Center, MN Wild games at Xcel Center

46th and Grand Avenue

Patisserie – supposed to have the best French pastries

Spend a day in Stillwater, MN (antiquing, galleries, St. Croix River, etc.)

Minneapolis: The local perspective
The best way to find out what to do when visiting a city for the first time is to ask the local residents for recommendations. They know about the best attractions and may be able to point you in the direction of the little known wonders their area has to offer . With that in mind, we checked in with a few ASPR members who live and work in Minnesota to find out what they consider the “must-see” attractions in Minneapolis and what they love about their city.

Ryan Berreth, DASPR, Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Recruitment
Children’s Hospital & Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, Ryan has spent the last 13 years in Minnesota in St. Cloud, Brainerd and Minneapolis. Ryan is currently a physician and advanced practice provider recruiter for Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Prior to his current position, he spent three years as a physician recruiter for Brainerd Lakes Health in Brainerd.

What do you recommend visitors must see/do when they visit Minnesota?
Well, the Twin Cities have a great art scene! Visit such places as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Center to indulge in the area’s artistic culture. The Mall of America in Bloomington and the new Twin Cities Premium Outlet mall in Eagan are must see attractions if you like to shop. We have amazing restaurants throughout and if you are looking for a nice evening out you might want to swing by Uptown. The Minnesota Zoo is also a fun time.

I must say though, of all the options and activities available in Minnesota, the biggest attraction would be The Minnesota State Fair or as they call it here, “The Great Minnesota Get-Together.” The Minnesota State Fair is the largest state fair in the U.S. and has something to make everyone happy. The best part is that the state fair runs from Aug. 21-September 1, so you will be in town to catch it!!

What is your favorite selling point about Minnesota when you are trying to get physicians to visit?
My favorite selling point about Minnesota is that we offer Big City life in a smaller more convenient package. We have excellent schools, safe communities and abundant outdoor activities. Minnesota is a great place to raise a family and enjoy the little things.

Madalyn Dosch, Sourcing Specialist
Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN
Madalyn is a native Wisconsinite but moved to Minnesota in 2005 to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and has lived there ever since. Madalyn’s happiest place on earth is sitting on a boat on the Mississippi or St. Croix rivers, or on one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. She has worked in HR and recruitment for six years, two of which have been spent in her current position at Allina Health. In her spare time, Madalyn can be found cheering on her favorite Wisconsin sports teams (she lives behind enemy lines!), volunteering at Substance Church, or traveling across the pond to Europe.

What do you recommend visitors must see/do when they visit Minnesota?
If you are fortunate enough to come to Minnesota in the dead of January, you have to visit the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The 129-year festival celebrates everything about winter, complete with ice sculptures, snow carvings, and a royal family. In 2011, I was a member of the royal family and held the title of Aurora, Queen of the Snows. It is a must see event for any Minnesota visitor.

In the summer, evenings spent walking along the river north of downtown in St. Anthony Main is my favorite. Grab a bite to eat at Aster Café, get some gelato at Wilde Roast and check out the stone arch bridge and lock and dam along the river.

What is your favorite selling point about Minnesota when you are trying to get physicians to visit?
Our four seasons provide the very best of every activity under the sun. Minnesota is consistently rated one of the fittest states in the nation due to all of the great outdoor activities it has to offer. No matter what your interests or passions, you will more than likely be able to do them in Minnesota.

Cassie Tinius, Physician Recruitment & Relations
St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN
Originally from Minot, North Dakota, Cassie has lived in St. Cloud since 1990 and has worked at St. Cloud Hospital since moving there. She spent her first 17 years at St. Cloud Hospital as a social worker in mental health - a great background for physician recruitment and retention. Cassie’s favorite times in Minnesota are summer days on the lake hanging out on a boat. Since becoming empty nesters, Cassie and her husband now enjoy the bike trails of Minnesota and checking out the Minnesota wineries.

What do you recommend visitors must see/do when they visit Minnesota?
I highly recommend taking in all of the special summer events in the area. Most communities have summer parades and festivals, music, food and fun for the entire family. If you’re in town when they are playing, go see a Twins game. If they aren’t playing, it’s still fun to take a tour of Target Field. Downtown Minneapolis has a number of great restaurants and bars – the roof top bars are especially fun!

What is your favorite selling point about Minnesota when you are trying to get physicians to visit?
People are friendly and nice! We take advantage of all seasons and spend time outdoors regardless of the temperature. I tell new physicians that they must at least try ice fishing. It is a very unique experience!

Minnesota is known for good public education and has plenty of private school options. It also boasts some of the best healthcare in the nation!
Find many more things to do in Minneapolis at www.minneapolis.org.